How to resign from your company and keep great relationships

Tusen Consulting

February 18, 2017, 12:01 pm

The importance of keeping great relationships even after you have resigned can’t be overemphasized. Stay tuned for more tips on the best ways to do this.

The biggest mistake of job-quitters is airing all their complaints about the company from which they are departing. Why is this a mistake? Because leaders and employees of the companies may take those things personally. “I don’t feel valued,” sounds like “You guys are so rude.” A comment like “the compensation was not competitive,” sounds like “you’re a bunch of stingy misers.” You need to be diplomatic when expressing your reasons for leaving. E.g: “I feel like I wanted to learn more about the world around me.” Or “I’m pursuing a personal goal that involves releasing myself from outside obligations for a while.”

Pre-departure whispering campaigns can destroy your relationships and ruin an otherwise great resignation. Don’t tell anyone that you plan to resign or are thinking about resigning. When the time comes to resign, speak first with your direct manager. He or she will advise you of the next steps.

When you resign, you’re going to say some goodbyes. The way that you say goodbye matters, because that’s how people are going to remember you. It is recommended that you reach out to individuals personally. When you speak with someone face-to-face, you are able to make a connection that is both memorable and meaningful.

When someone leaves a company in a hurried hush, the rumors will fly. Some people will feel slighted. Some people will be confused. Most people will invent their own false reasons for your departure, which invariably places you in the worst possible light. To avoid this, be open about the reasons for your resignation. There is huge value in openness. By being open, you will prevent rumors, sidestep suspicion, build trust, and dispel any doubt about your reasons for leaving.

This isn’t necessary but it’s a great way of showing courtesy. Offer to train the person who will be taking your position when you leave, in order to help the transition easier.

Be sure to have an employment checklist to enable you itemize all the things you need to do before you resign. E.g what is the company policy for timelines for quit notice? What handover notes do you need to leave behind?

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This is the foundation of every good relationship. When you trust your team and colleagues, you form a powerful bond that helps you to work and communicate more effectively. If you trust the people you work with, you can be open and honest in your thoughts and actions.

Building positive workplace relationships is vital for career success. Relationships can positively or negatively affect your satisfaction with the job, your ability to advance and gain recognition for your achievements. Stay with us on how to develop effective work relationships